Robert a



(No Model.)

R. A. WINGO.

- WATBRWHEEL. Y v No. 322.879.. l Patented July 21, 1885.

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NIUJEEEES: L. Mw L N. PETERS. Pholo-ljlmgnphor. Wnhillgtun, DV C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT A. WINGO, OF ERIN, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO JOHN WV. HAGLER AND WM. M. OOOLEY, OF SAME PLACE.

WATER-WH EEL,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patenty No. 322,879l dated July 21, 1885.

Application tiled June B, 1885. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT A. WrNGo, a citizen of the United States, residing at Erin, in the county of Houston and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Water-Wheels; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in Water-wheels of that class known as overshot wheels, and it has for its object to provide the same with buckets, which will retain all or nearly all the water let therein till the buckets reach their lowest point; and it consists in the peculiar formation of the buckets, and in peculiar means for discharging the water from the same, all as more 'fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of the wheel and its supporting-frame. Fig. 2 isa side elevation, with parts broken away; and Fig. 3 is a section on theline X X, Fig. 1.

A represents a frame-work for supporting the wheel, which consists of an annular ring supported by a suitable shaft, B, to which it is connected by spokes b. The annular ring or chamber is composed of the outer side walls C, strengthened by the inner side walls, c, and the inner and outer rings, D d, joining these side walls. The inner ring, D, is braced by a ring, D', interposed between it and the spokes b. The outer ring, d, has apertures E, formed at stated intervals around its periphery, of a width preferably equal to the distance between the two strengthening side walls, c. Vertical partitionsF are let drop from the rear walls of the remaining portions of the ring d, and extend to and are attached to the inner ring, D. Radial partitions f extend across the other or front end of the remaining portions of the outer ring, d, to be within a short distance of the inner ring, D, leaving a space, g. These partitions divide the annular chamber into a series of compartments or buckets, H H', the former being closed, the latter open.

Coincident with the ends of the closed buckets and through the side walls, C c, are formed openings G, surrounded on three sides by a guide-frame, I, in which reciprocate or slide gates J, the same, when closed,tting the guideframe water-tight. Packing t' is interposed between the gate and the side rings just above the opening G and between the open ends of the frame I, to insure a close lity and prevent leakage. These gates and openings may be formed on a single side of the wheel, as shown in Fig. 2, but I prefer the construction shown in Fig. 3, in which both sides of the wheel arefshown as provided with springs and radially-sliding gates.

'Ihe gates are kept closed by springs K, fastened to the inner side of the ring D', the outer end of said springs being curved outward and 7o adapted to bear on theinner edge of the gates. Other forms or springs may be devised and secured in divers ways; but the form shown is preferred, as a single fiat spring is made to actuate two coincident gates on opposite sides of the Wheel.

Camways L are arranged, one on either side of the wheel below its supporting-shaft, in such manner as to engage the anti-friction roller m on the outer end of an arm, M, projecting laterally from the outer face of the gates, and retract the gate, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Said ways are protected bya metallic covering, Z.

In practice, water discharged on the wheel from the clutch Nstrikes the partition f, therebyimparting motion to the wheel. In addition to this force the water passes into the compartments H H', thereby assisting by its gravity in the rotation of the wheel, during the forward movement of which the water in the compartment H passes into the compartment H, from which, when it nearly reaches its lowest position, the water is discharged by the opening of the gate by means already described.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A water-wheel provided with a series of 10o alternately open and closed buckets, in combination with a passage-Way through aside of the letter, a gate controlling the same, and a cam for opening such gate, as and for the purposes described. A

2. A Water-Wheel provided With a series of closed buckets arranged around its periphery, and having coincident openings through its side Walls, in combination With sliding gates closing said openings, -and a single spring, having its opposite ends bearing upon and serving to normally keep the coincident gates in a closed position, substantially as shown and describe 3. The combination, in an overshot Water- Wheel, ofthe open and closed buckets having a narrow communicating passage-Way, coincident openings through the side Walls of the closed buckets, a guide-frame surrounding `said openings, a gate sliding in said guide- 

